|
Replies:
285
-
Pages:
20
[
1
2
3
4
5
| Next
]
-
Last Post:
Mar 3, 2008 5:49 AM
by: caanantheartboy
|
|
|
Posts:
223
Registered:
6/25/07
|
|
|
|
The Ideal Competition?
Posted:
Feb 13, 2008 7:58 AM
|
|
Hey guys,
I was going to blog about this but then I thought using the message boards might be a better forum. We've been discussing internally the format of Zuda Competitions - a friendly debate, weighing each of the
actual
and
possible
criteria. I thought it would be a good idea to throw this out to the group and get your feedback. I should clarify by saying we're not looking to make any radical changes - or possibly any changes whatsoever - in the short term. We're not saying that competitions aren't working or anything like that - because clearly they are. This is long-term and somewhat theoretical thinking about how the site might evolve.
That said, here are some of the things we've been discussing: What's the best time frame - a month? More? Less? What's the best number of competitors? Should there be diversity in the voting power - for example, should a users vote count for more if they've been on the site longer or are a previous competitor? Should competitions be structured by genre or some other qualifying factor? Should the comic screens be posted all at once or paced out over the length of the competition? Should previous competitors get a second chance? Should there be an elimination round of some sort?
There's probably a zillion other questions we could ask but I don't want to steer the conversation one way or another. We've said from the beginning that we were going to be as transparent and community oriented as possible. Good ideas can come from anywhere - so what've you got?
|
|
Posts:
668
Registered:
10/29/07
|
|
|
|
Re: The Ideal Competition?
Posted:
Feb 13, 2008 8:14 AM
in response to: ronperazza
|
|
That's a can of worms right there.
|
|
Posts:
26
Registered:
2/6/08
|
|
|
|
Re: The Ideal Competition?
Posted:
Feb 13, 2008 8:17 AM
in response to: ronperazza
|
|
Personally I think the month long competition is too drawn out, perhaps dividing it in three stages in which a group of 5 goes for 14 days and chooses a round one winner, then the next group of 5 for 14 days which choose a winner to end in a third and final bout from the two previous runs.
The genre issue could be interesting if multiple competitions are running... Or perhaps ( going out on a limb here ) if diverse genre compete individually then the winners of those compete in a final competition.
The voting power issue should not be implemented what so ever simply from a funtional democratic ideal!
|
|
Posts:
479
Registered:
8/9/07
|
|
|
|
Re: The Ideal Competition?
Posted:
Feb 13, 2008 8:18 AM
in response to: ronperazza
|
|
> That said, here are some of the things we've
> been discussing: What's the best time frame - a
> month? More? Less? What's the best number of
> competitors?
I think you guys have done well with the current format for the number of competitors. It's not too much to take in, but not too little either. The month time frame seems a bit long right now as we are waiting for more titles to populate Zuda, offering us more fresh content weekly. Which brings up this question:
> Should the comic screens be posted all at once or
> paced out over the length of the competition?
If they were paced over the length of the competition, as a few of the Zudans (Zudites? - Is there an official word on this?) have suggested previously, I think it would help with the flow of content. It would give readers incentive to check in weekly. Of course, some of us are here daily or almost daily anyway, thirsting for more to visually devour.
> Should there be diversity in the voting
> power - for example, should a users vote count for
> more if they've been on the site longer or are a
> previous competitor?
I don't think that's really fair. Afterall, should a politician's vote count for more than mine? I personally don't think so. I think one of the joys of Zuda is that many of us do feel like it's a community and would hate for elitism take over. Power to the people!
> Should competitions be
> structured by genre or some other qualifying factor?
If that means more content, then I'm all for it
 J/K It would be interesting, but I find it intriguing when a humor comic is pitted against noir - when high real rendering is matched up against stick figures. I think if it were structured by genre (and I'm not sure about this, but I think some creators may not want to pigeonhole their work), I think fans of a particular genre would gravitate towards only that competition, thus limiting the views across all comics. In the current format, I've really appreciated the fact that I've been able to read various types of genres and viewed many different styles of artistry. I feel that the lack of polarization has done a lot for Zuda and its growing number of members.
> Should previous competitors get a second chance?
> Should there be an elimination round of some sort?
I would love to see an All-Star group of non-winners (be they all winners in my mind as they were selected in the first place!) in a Deathmatch round! It could be an end of the year thing where 12 fan favorites that didn't win their respective competition duke it out- possibly tacking on another 8 screens?
Battlefield Babysitter vs. Crooked Man vs. Untrue Tales vs. Spelunker's Guide vs. Maxy J vs. Pieces of Eden vs. Avast Ye vs. Frankie vs. Dead in the Now vs. everyone and their mother.
> There's probably a zillion other questions we
> could ask but I don't want to steer the conversation
> one way or another. We've said from the beginning
> that we were going to be as transparent and community
> oriented as possible. Good ideas can come from
> anywhere - so what've you got?
Keep askin' and we'll keep firin' back!
|
|
Posts:
33
Registered:
7/10/07
|
|
|
|
The Ideal Competition?
Posted:
Feb 13, 2008 8:28 AM
in response to: ronperazza
|
|
Personally, I think that the ranking shouldn't be made public so quickly. There seems to be little to no movement at the top and the bottom. People like to vote for winners.
Why not alter the rate at which the pages are released?
Tuesdays and Thursdays for four weeks...
Five up front, then stagger the last three...
Gives us something more to come back to than just the ranking. Might make for more interesting rankings to. Imagine, no one votes week one because they don't have enough info yet! blasphemy!
As one of the four competitors to offer a non-narrative project, I think it might've fared better against others of the same ilk, but I am not sure that the Zudists want non-narrative material.
|
|
Posts:
341
Registered:
12/3/07
|
|
|
|
Re: The Ideal Competition?
Posted:
Feb 13, 2008 8:30 AM
in response to: famished
|
|
As much as I would love for my vote to count for more than one vote, I don't think that would be very fair.
Peter
|
|
Posts:
33
Registered:
7/10/07
|
|
|
|
Re: The Ideal Competition?
Posted:
Feb 13, 2008 8:30 AM
in response to: abel_1689
|
|
i completely agree about voting power
one man one vote
|
|
Posts:
668
Registered:
10/29/07
|
|
|
|
Re: The Ideal Competition?
Posted:
Feb 13, 2008 8:30 AM
in response to: ronperazza
|
|
I assume there's a budget involved in this but since it's not my money to spend I'm going to shoot for the moon.
I think 4 weeks may be a little longer than is absolutely necessary. We're only 2 weeks into February and I've already commented about as much as I think I need to. I think 2 competitions a month would be better for me as a reader.
I also think it would be more interesting if the competitions were smaller.
Combine the two ideas to get twice monthly competitions featuring 5 comics at a time.
This also makes it easier to tailor the competition according to themes. That way you can run a romance month without driving the action fans away for a full month.
I don't think that voting power should be diversified. Every vote counts for one I hope.
I hope that screens all get posted at the start. It's hard enough to get flow when working with 8 pages, if you start to parcel out pages slower then the creators will be under pressure to alter their concept to read better at the new release pace.
Might consider offering second place comics an automatic re-entry. Not the very next month or we'll all get burned out, and not in lieu of your regular entries, maybe differentiate it by calling it a wild card or something. 10 + 1 or 5 +1.
I'd rather not see a comic that didn't win over and over again. I really liked Leprenomicon just to pick one at random, but I don't want to have to vote for it over and over again.
|
|
Posts:
33
Registered:
7/10/07
|
|
|
|
Re: The Ideal Competition?
Posted:
Feb 13, 2008 8:31 AM
in response to: ptimony
|
|
in addition,
i think you should disregard the votes of creators who vote for themselves
sportsmanship
|
|
Posts:
668
Registered:
10/29/07
|
|
|
|
Re: The Ideal Competition?
Posted:
Feb 13, 2008 8:37 AM
in response to: illinest
|
|
actually famished has a great idea with the all stars. that could be pretty intense.
also i want to reiterate my belief that slowing page releases would be too tough on the creators. It would change the contest mechanics quite a bit. All of a sudden the gag strips would have an advantage relative to the continuing narratives. In planning my own comic I think it's possible to work in groups of four pages but if I had to release one page a day it would be slow death on me.
|
|
Posts:
122
Registered:
8/14/07
|
|
|
|
Re: The Ideal Competition?
Posted:
Feb 13, 2008 8:38 AM
in response to: ronperazza
|
|
Genre! Genre!
I think it'd be great to see the competitions divided by genre. It just seems more of a natural fit. I guess the word I'm avoiding to use is fair. It seems more fair to the competition. There is the problem that if there are so many spots to fill, you could run the risk of showing competitors for quantity, not quality. Simply, reserve the right to not post a winner or regular amounts of competitors if a given month doesn't supply you with good candidates. There is also the situation that someone previously mentioned of pigeon holing their product. I hadn't thought of that. However, entering into the competition means that you accept this dilemma to put a label on your work.
Also, if you have the different genres' winners face each other at the end, I propose that you get the hottest female character from each story, hand them both whips, jello, and gossip that the other one talked smack about their momma, and watch everyone on the information super highway make direct stops at this little joint. The winner from said (hopeful) situation gets the coveted winnings.
null
|
|
Posts:
341
Registered:
12/3/07
|
|
|
|
Re: The Ideal Competition?
Posted:
Feb 13, 2008 8:47 AM
in response to: illinest
|
|
I like the All-Stars too! Knowing that the second place comic might get a chance to compete again (but with added screens, definitely) might persuade some people not to move their vote!
|
|
Posts:
223
Registered:
6/25/07
|
|
|
|
Re: The Ideal Competition?
Posted:
Feb 13, 2008 8:56 AM
in response to: ronperazza
|
|
It's funny but we initially brought up the idea of a weighted vote power because it seemed like there were some grumblings about people coming to the site, voting for a friend, and then splitting - never to return - and how that skews the natural community decision. But it's refreshing to hear the "one man one vote" response because while a popular vote is the most democratic it also speaks to your guys dedication to the site and to a general belief in a long term, balanced solution.
I should also point out too that we also thought a super-match between former non-winners would be cool as hell - but were worried you guys might think of it as a cop out. If there are any non-winners you think should be considered for a re-match competition, go on and send your ideas in through the FEEDBACK link. There just might be something to this idea....
|
|
Posts:
612
Registered:
11/15/07
|
|
|
|
Re: The Ideal Competition?
Posted:
Feb 13, 2008 9:02 AM
in response to: ronperazza
|
|
A month wouldn't seem like such a long time (how much do i really have to say about a comic???) if there were more comics up and running. Don't nickel and dime a story out, bring on the full 8 screens. If a contest was only two weeks some people wouldn't make it here before the polls close. I'd love to see a genre contest every once and awhile, run two contest at a time, try that. I know you wouldn't have the money to do two winning comics every month, but I wouldn't mind seeing it. As far as showing the ranks of the comics so early goes (people like to vote for the winner), even if you didn't know what was leading, people would still guess by the number of views, keep telling us who is in the lead. I side effect of that a comic ranked number 1 will get a second look from people to find out why so many others liked it if they didn't. All votes should count the same including creators who vote for there own comic, Do YOU WANT THE SUPER-DELEGATE PROBLEM HERE AT ZUDA? and I say this as someone with a fairly low user number, so maybe my view should have some weight?
I thought all former ZUDA competitors got a second chance, if they sent in another comic? If your talking about giving a comic a second chance (reminds me of a feedback I sent you guys hmmmm.) If you had a big enough pool to chose from, and the creators were interested, Yes!!! Bring back the crooked man, or just have the fans send in a feedback on the comic they would most like to see return, whoever wins that poll, that still wanted to do there comic, let them do it. I also wonder if some contest losers might not want to keep doing there comic on ZUDA for no money just exposure, but I guess that would give you guys content/contract problems?
Ron steer the conversation, you guys (and gals) at ZUDA are not a bunch of facebook-Nazi's, part of being a community is hearing from TPTB at ZUDA.
ZUDA -those of us that use spell check are also glad to see it doesn't try to change the word to USDA any more. oh wait I spoke too soon...
|
|
Posts:
668
Registered:
10/29/07
|
|
|
|
Re: The Ideal Competition?
Posted:
Feb 13, 2008 9:03 AM
in response to: ptimony
|
|
oh i didn't even think of that. You just made Rob's day I think. Good point.
|
|
|
|
